CHAPTER 13 – THE ELECTION PROCESS

MR. LIPMAN’S AP GOVERNMENT AND

POLITICS POWERPOINT

The Purpose of Elections

Legitimize government, even in authoritarian systems.

Organize government.

Choose issue and policy priorities.

Electorate gives winners a mandate.

BEFORE THE ACTUAL ELECTION YOU USUALLY NEED A PRIMARY:

1.CLOSED PRIMARY – REGISTERED VOTERS OF A PARTICULAR PARTY

2. OPEN PRIMARY – INDEPENDENTS AND OFTEN MEMBERS OF ANY PARTY

3. Non-Partisan Primary – Voting without regard to party affiliation

4. CROSSOVER VOTING – VOTING IN A PRIMARY FOR A DIFFERENT PARTY THAN YOU

ARE REGISTERED IN.

When do states choose their nominee for president?

What is a primary election?Election in which voters decide which candidates

will actually fill elective public offices.Election in which voters decide which of the

candidates within a party will represent the party in the general election.

An election that allows citizens to propose legislation or state constitutional amendments by submitting them to the electorate for popular vote.

An election whereby the state legislature submits proposed legislation or state constitutional amendments to the voters for approval.

An election in which voters can remove an incumbent from office prior to the next scheduled election.

What is a primary election?Election in which voters decide which candidates

will actually fill elective public offices.Election in which voters decide which of the

candidates within a party will represent the party in the general election.

An election that allows citizens to propose legislation or state constitutional amendments by submitting them to the electorate for popular vote.

An election whereby the state legislature submits proposed legislation or state constitutional amendments to the voters for approval.

An election in which voters can remove an incumbent from office prior to the next scheduled election.

THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES

Winner Take AllProportionalCaucusFront Loading by StatesNational Convention: Out of Power Party

goes first.Labor Day is the traditional “kick-off” but

that has changed in recent years

Getting the Voters Involved

Electorate: Those eligible to voteInitiative: citizens propose legislation and

then vote on it.Referendum: state legislature submits

proposed legislation to voters (aka “punting”)Recall: Voters seek to remove an elected

official.Incumbent: an official already in office

How do states regulate voter eligibility?

The U.S. president is elected every four years in general elections by

A.popular vote.B.state-based caucuses.C.the Electoral College.D.winner-take-all primary elections.E.popular referendums.

The U.S. president is elected every four years in general elections by

A.popular vote.B.state-based caucuses.C.the Electoral College.D.winner-take-all primary elections.E.popular referendums.

THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

538= 435 plus 100 plus 3Originally designed to operate without

political parties and to produce a non-partisan president

Red is GOP and Blue is DemocraticLargest is California (55); then Texas (38);

then New York and Florida (29)….Average district size is now going to be over

570K

PARTY REALIGNMENTS

Before they occur there is usually a critical election

Last big three were 1860; 1896; 1932“A fundamental and enduring alteration in

the political party make-up”Secular realignment is a gradual re-

arrangement of party coalitions

All of the following factors increase the likelihood that an incumbent will win reelection

EXCEPT

A. a paid staff.B. a large war chest.C. name recognition.D. greater visibility.E. scandals.

All of the following factors increase the likelihood that an incumbent will win reelection

EXCEPT

A. a paid staff.B. a large war chest.C. name recognition.D. greater visibility.E. scandals.

CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

Incumbents have a huge advantage: Mass mailings Well known Constituent Services Large War Chests**OTHER KEY TERMS TO REMEMBER**1. Redistricting2. Gerrymandering3. Midterm Elections (low turn out)4. Coattails in a Presidential Election

Which of the following individuals is most likely to vote

for the Democratic party?

A. a high income individualB. a highly educated individualC. a ProtestantD. an African AmericanE. a man

Which of the following individuals is most likely to vote

for the Democratic party?

A. a high income individualB. a highly educated individualC. a ProtestantD. an African AmericanE. a man

How has the racial and ethnic composition of voters changed?

ODDS AND ENDS

1. Education (more equals higher turnout)2. Income (higher usually related to turnout)3. 26th Amendment (1971- age now 18)4. African-Americans tend to vote less than

whites.5. Puerto Ricans can only vote on Mainland6. McCain-Feingold and the attempt at

Campaign financing reform

Which of the following individuals is most likely to vote?

A. A white person with an annual income of $35,000 or higher

B. A Hispanic person with an annual income of $35,000 or less

C. A 21 year old who did not finish high school

D. An felon serving a prison sentenceE. An African American with an annual

income of $65,000 or higher

Which of the following individuals is most likely to vote?

A. A white person with an annual income of $35,000 or higher

B. A Hispanic person with an annual income of $35,000 or less

C. A 21 year old who did not finish high schoolD. An felon serving a prison sentenceE. An African American with an annual

income of $65,000 or higher

WHY IS VOTER TURNOUT SO LOW

Registration DifficultyExtend Voting in Presidential Elections to 2

or 3 days?Reduce Voting Age to 16? (see page 492)Reduce restrictions on convicted felons?Ease absentee voting restrictions?Belief that vote “just doesn’t matter because

nothing ever changes”

What is the number one reason people in the United States don’t vote?

A.They are too busy.B.They are satisfied with their lives.C.They encounter bad weather while trying

to vote.D.They forget.E.They don’t have transportation to the

polling station.

What is the number one reason people in the United States don’t vote?

A.They are too busy.B.They are satisfied with their lives.C.They encounter bad weather while trying

to vote.D.They forget.E.They don’t have transportation to the

polling station.

Analyzing Visuals: Why people Don’t Vote